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October 29, 2023 7 mins
"When All The Saints" ©1997, Christopher Miner Music. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
http://hymnbook.igracemusic.com/hymns/for-all-the-saints
Christopher MinerChristopher Miner-Music
William Walsham How-Text



In this podcast episode titled "All-Saints-Day and Halloween's-Christian-Origins," Dr. Jeffrey D. Skinner, the host of "Echoes-Through-Eternity-Podcast," explores the fascinating intersection of Christian tradition and the origins of Halloween. Dr. Skinner delves into the significance of All-Saints-Day, shedding light on its deep roots in Christian history and its celebration across various denominations. He also uncovers the surprising connections between Halloween and Christian traditions, revealing how this holiday evolved over time.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Skinner emphasizes the unity of Christians of all ages, countries, and races in Christ, highlighting the importance of recognizing the rich history of Christianity and finding inspiration in the stories of saints and martyrs. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the meaning of All-Saints-Day and its relevance to their faith.
This thought-provoking podcast provides valuable insights into the spiritual significance of All-Saints-Day and offers a fresh perspective on the origins of Halloween, ultimately encouraging individuals to embrace the Christian heritage and the unity it represents.



Transcript:
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (00:00.414)
Welcome into Echoes Through Eternity. I am Dr. Jeffrey D. Skinner. This is a bonus episode. It's our All Hallows' Eve episode. Halloween. And today we're delivering, we're delving into a topic. Stop.
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (00:36.33)
Welcome to another episode of Echoes Through Eternity with Dr. Jeffrey D. Skinner. I am your host, and today we're delving into a topic that's both fascinating and deeply rooted in Christian tradition, All Saints Day.
This isn't your typical Halloween episode. Instead, we'll be uncovering the meaning and history behind the November 1st holiday. That might just change the way you think about saints and Halloween itself. So what exactly is All Saints Day? It's a Christian solemnity, a dignified remembrance where we honor all the saints from Christian history.
Whether they're well-known figures or those whose names have been lost to time.
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (01:34.582)
It goes by various names, All Hallows Day, the Feast of All Saints, the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallow, Hallowmas.
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (01:47.638)
But who are these saints? You might be surprised to learn that it's not just those immortalized in statues within church buildings. According to the Bible, saints are anyone who trust in Christ alone for salvation.
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (02:05.502)
If you, if I trust in God for our salvation, we are saints. Yep, you heard it right. You can be a saint too if you are a follower of Christ. It's not a title bestowed by religious leaders. It's granted by God to anyone who simply trusts in Christ.
This Christian celebration is observed on November 1st by the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, from which the Church of Nazarene, the Wesleyan Church we all held from the were cousins to the Methodists there, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations in Western Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes it on the first Sunday following Pentecost. It is a day that reminds us...
of our connections as Christians and the spiritual bond between those in heaven and on earth.
Now you might be wondering about the connection between All Saints Day and Halloween. Believe it or not, Halloween in its origins was a Holy Christian celebration. The word Halloween comes from Hallows Eve, meaning the evening of holy persons. And it refers to the evening for All Saints Day, which is November 1st on both Anglican and Catholic calendars. Anglican being that Church of England.
Dr. Jeffery D. Skinner (03:41.826)
Halloween is a blend of Celtic religious ideas and Christian martyrology, showing how traditions can evolve over time.
The history of All Saints' Day dates back to early years of Christianity when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians. So many martyrs died from their faith that the Church set aside special days to honor them.
In the seventh century, the pantheon in Rome was consecrated to all saints, and many bones of martyrs
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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
Welcome into Echoes through Eternity. Iam your host, Doctor Jeffrey D.
Skinner, and today we're delving intoa topic that's both fascinating and deeply rooted
in Christian tradition, All Saints Day. This isn't your typical Halloween episode.

(00:26):
Instead, we'll be uncovering the meaningand history behind the November one holiday that
might just change the way you thinkabout the Saints and the Halloween itself.
So what exactly is All Saints Day? It's a Christian solemnity, a dignified

(00:51):
remembrance where we honor all the saintsfrom Christian history, whether they're well known
figures or those whose names have beenlost to time. It goes by various
names, All Hallows Day, theFeast of All Saints, the Solemnity of

(01:12):
All Saints, and Hallow Moss.But who are these saints? You might
be surprised to learn that it's notjust those immortalized in statues within church buildings.
According to the Bible, saints oranyone who trusting Christ alone for salvation.

(01:33):
If you, if I trust inGod for our salvation, we are
saints. Yep, you heard itright. You can be a saint to
if you're a follower of Christ.It's not a title bestowed by religious leaders.
It's granted by God to anyone who'ssimply trusting Christ. This Christian celebration

(02:00):
observed on November first by the RomanCatholic Church, the Methodist Church, from
which the Church of the Nazarene,the Wesleyan Church we all held from the
were cousins to the Methodist Here,the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations
in Western Christianity. The Eastern OrthodoxChurch observes it on the first Sunday following

(02:22):
Pentecost. It is a day thatreminds us of our connections as Christians and
the spiritual bond between those in heavenand on earth. Now you might be
wondering about the connection between All SaintsDay and Halloween. Believe it or not,

(02:43):
Halloween, in its origins was aHoly Christian celebration. The word Halloween
comes from Hallow's Eve, meaning theevening of Holy persons, and it refers
to the eve for All Saints Day, which is November first on both Anglican

(03:05):
and Catholic calendars, Anglican being thatChurch of England. Halloween is a blend
of Celtic religious ideas and Christian martyrology, showing how traditions can evolve over time.
The history of All Saints Day datesback to early years of Christianity,

(03:27):
when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians.So many martyrs died from their faith that
the Church set aside special days tohonor them. In the seventh century,
the Pantheon in Rome was consecrated toAll Saints and many bones of martyrs were
brought there. Over time, AllSaints Day evolved into what we know today.

(03:54):
In the tenth century, All SoulsDay on November second, was added
to honor all the Christians who hadpassed away. People prayed for the dead,
but some Unchristian superstitions also begin tocreep in. The holiday absorbed some
pagan customs. But we can useit positively to remember and give thanks for

(04:15):
Christians from the past who inspired us. So how can we celebrate All Saints
Dame. It's about recognizing the unityof Christians of all ages, countries,
and races in Christ. While wedon't pray to or through the Saints,

(04:42):
we can find inspiration in their storiesof God's faithfulness. The Bible tells us
about this great cloud of witnesses whoselives speak of God's unfailing love and grace.
There's a beautiful hymn called for allthe Saints, saying believers to look
back through the years of Christian historyand think the millions now enjoying rest and

(05:05):
salvation in the presence of God.And we're using that hymn today by permission
from the authors, and you'll findthat in the author notes, in the
publisher notes, in the show notes. It inspires us to press on,

(05:27):
look forward to the glorious day whenthe strife is over and we join the
triumphant song, no more tears,no more Pain, just as we've been
talking about in Revelation, that chaptertwenty one that paints to that new creation,
that glorious day when all things arenew. So this All Saints Day,

(05:53):
let's remember that you can be asaint too and take inspiration from the
rich history of Christianity. So let'snot forget to honor the heroes of Christian
history who have inspired us. Anduse this day and Halloween if you want
to have fun and let your kidsdress up and scary monsters or hopeful angels

(06:16):
or whatever it is, enjoy it. But remember this roots were in hope.
It's not something from which we shouldbe afraid. But we can celebrate
as Christians. We can celebrate asthe Church and take heart that while the
world may have interpreted us as aday of interpreted this and absconded this as

(06:39):
a day of evil and witches andwarlocks and ghosts and goblins, we can
thank God for those heroes that havegone before us. And so as you
celebrate this Halloween season, take amoment to unmask the significance of All Saints
Day and its unity among all believersof all ages. Let the whispers of

(07:03):
past saints inspired you as you journeythrough life. Thanks for joining us on
this journey through the echoes of eternity. This has been our All Saints Day
episode. Until next time, staycurious and keep seeking the truth. O

(07:27):
Elujah and Amen.
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